Twine-cutter



(mew G. A. KERR.

TWINE CUTTER.

No. 453,009. I Patented May 26, 1891.

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THE NORRIS PETERS co., Puma-mum. \vz-snmc'mu, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFI E.

GEORGE A. KERR, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

TWINE-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,009, dated May 26, 1891.

Application filed February 26, 1891- Serial No. 382,966. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. KERR, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson, in the State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in 'Iwine-Cutters, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in devices used by salesmen and others, and is a convenient means for cutting twine; and it consists in certain peculiarities of detail construction and arrangement of parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the annexed drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, wherein- Figure 1 is a side View of myimprovement, showing the general arrangement of the parts. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line a: m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the holder 0 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 4 is a view of a modification of my improvement as constructed and formed of sheet metal.

In practice I prefer to form separately the rings to be used with my device, after which the holder 0 is attached in any suitable manmer, such as brazing, riveting, or otherwise securingitto the rings. The holder 0 has a channel cut in its lower face, so that the cutter-bar B may be inserted into the same,

where it is held against accidental displacement by means of a set-screw D, passing through said holder C and bearing against the cutter-bar, or said screw may pass entirely through said cutter-bar and bear against the ring, if desired... Then the holder 0 is made of cast metal, the channel Ct thereof is formed either by casting in the piece when formed or it may be out in with a millingtool. This channel in the holder is provided to allow the cutter-bar to be inserted and firmly held in place when in operation. The free end of the cutter-bar extends for a con siderable distance beyond the holder in which it is held, and in use extends down between the fingers of the operator and is used as a brace. At the opposite end of the cutterbar is a cutting-blade, which lies at its end in close proximity to the ring and is provided with a beak or guard b at its extreme end to prevent substances larger than twine passing between the ring and the sharp cutting-edge of the knife Z).

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the holder 0 is formed from sheet metal bent into the required shape on a former, and the cutter-bar is held in said holder in the same manner as hereinbefore described, except that the cutter-bar is a dovetail tenon which fits closely into a corresponding mortise formed in the holder 0.

In practice my twine-cutter may be worn on the index or on the little finger with the free end of the cutter-bar extending back, so that it may be used as a brace to assist in holding the cutter in position while in use. After a time it will be found that the cutter Will become blunted, and it is desirable to have a means for sharpening. This is best accomplished by removing the knife-blade from the holder, which may be done in my improved twine-cutter by simply loosening the hold of the set-screw D, when the cutterbar may be withdrawn and sharpened as easily as any ordinary edge-tool.

Sometimes it is desirable to varythe dis tance of the cutting-edge and guard from the ring, and this may be done by first loosening the set-screw D and setting the cutter at the proper distance, where it may again be secured by tightening said screw.

I am aware that twine-cutters wherein a fixed blade has been attached to a ring have heretofore been used; also, that rings have been provided with knives which are held normally concealed and are brought into use by releasing the blade, whichis pressed out by means of a spring. These I do not claim; but

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a twinecutter consisting, essentially, of a ring to be worn on the finger, to which is detachably connected a cutter-bar provided at one end with a cutting'blade terminating in a guard, the opposite end of said bar extending rearwardly therefrom between the fingers of the operator to act as a brace to assist in using the tool, all constructed and arranged substantially as described and as shown.

scribed.

2. As anew articleof manufacture, atwine- I In testimony whereof I have hereunto 1o cutter consisting, essentially, of a ring to be signed my name, in the presence of two at- WOln 0n the finger, to which is detaehably testing witnesses, at Louisville, in the county connected a cutter-bar provided at one end of Jefferson, in the State of Kentucky, this with, a rigid cutting-blade and at the opposite 9th day of February, 1891. end extending beyond the ring to form a brace l GEORGE A. KERR. to assist in using the tool, all constructed and Witnesses:

arranged substantially as shown and de- F. HOWE,

M. L. GIBBS. 

